Blade changer dolly



Sept. 27, 1966 N. SHANNON 3,275,165

BLADE CHANGER DOLLY Filed Dec. 51, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Nile Shannon IN VENTOR.

Sept. 27, 1966 SHANNON 3,275,166

BLADE CHANGER DOLLY Filed Dec. 51, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nile Shannon 1N VENTOR.

Sept. 27, 1966 N. SHANNON 3,275,166 BLADE CHANGER DOLLY Filed Dec. 31, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3

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76 32 fi g l 46 66 56 52 I 68 O 50 44 O I) Nile Shannon INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,275,166 BLADE CHANGER DOLLY Nile Shannon. Carnarvon, Iowa Filed Dec. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 334,872 8 Claims. (Cl. 2141) This invention comprises a novel and useful blade changer dolly and more particularly pertains to a mobile supporting structure specifically adapted to support the blade of :a scraper moldboard and to adjustably position the latter to effect registration of the blade fastening holes with corresponding holes in the moldboard.

In earth working equipment such as scrapers having relatively large moldboards, it is customary to provide a replaceable blade mounted thereon to constitute the earthengaging or scraping edge of the moldboard. This enables the blades to be changed from time-to-time as they require servicing, sharpening or even replacement without the necessity for replacing the entire moldboard of the scraper. However, owing to the size of such blades and their weight, the replacing of a blade upon a moldboard is usually an extremely difficult task involving the expenditure of considerable time and labor.

It is therefore the primary purpose to overcome the aforementioned problem encountered with respect to the servicing of this particular type of equipment and to provide an apparatus which will greatly facilitate and lessen the time and labor required for the changing of the blade of a scraper moldboard.

More specifically, it is an important object of the invention to provide a dolly readily shiftable over the ground in order to initially obtain a preparatory positioning of the blade with respect to the moldboard and to which will firmly support the blade while enabling a variety of lifting and adjusting operations to be performed for the purpose of orienting the blade fastening apertures with those of the moldboard.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dolly in accordance with the preceding objects which shall be of a relatively simple construction and yet will enable a single operator to eifect the necessary preliminary positioning of the blade with respect to be moldboard and to then apply the blade to the moldboard with the fastening apertures of the two members in proper registration for the insertion of fastener means therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dolly in accordance with the foregoing objects which shall include means for individually lifting to a limited extent the blade supporting carriage of the dolly for the purpose of properly orienting the blade with respect to the moldboard even though the latter or the blade are not disposed in horizontal or parallel relation.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a dolly especially adapted for the changing of moldboard blades and which shall consist of three operatively connected relatively simple sections or components capable of a variety of individual adjustments for the purpose of properly positioning the scraper blade with respect to a moldboard.

Yet another object of the invention in conformity with the above-mentioned objects is to provide a dolly which shall cooperate with the moldboard and its power-operated means for effecting vertical movement thereof to facilitate the use of the dolly in properly aligning registering fastener holes in the moldboard and in the blade to be applied thereto,

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing a scraper moldboard and a replaceable blade carried by the dolly in accordance with this invention in a preliminary positioning of the blade with respect to the moldboard;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the dolly in its completely retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the dolly of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dolly showing its three sections or component-s in disassembled relation;

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical transverse section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIGURE 2 and showing in dotted lines the position of a blade upon the carriage element of the dolly in the initial step of applying a blade to a moldboard;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the parts of the apparatus in the position in preparation for applying the blade to the moldboard; and,

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURES 5 and 6 but showing the position of the parts upon the completion of the orienting of the blade with respect to the moldboard.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 it will be observed that the dolly 10 forming the subject matter of this invention is shown in its operative position as supporting a replaceable blade 12 provided with the usual fastening bolt apertures 14, in preliminary position for mounting this blade upon the lower edge 16 of a conventional moldboard 18 likewise having the usual blade fastening holes 20 therein. The moldboard is shown as being mounted by the usual support arm 22 connected to the associated chassis of an earth-working apparatus or equipment of any desired type.

Referring next to FIGURE 4, in particular, it will be noted that the dolly 10 includes three unitary sections or components which are movably and removably associated with each other. The components of the dolly consist of a supporting frame or base structure indi cated generally by the numeral 30, a platform indicated at 32 and a U-shaped carriage indicated at 34. The frame 30 as well as the platform 32 are of rectangular shape. The frame preferably consists of rigidly connected angle members comprising sides 36 and ends 38 having an opening 40 therebetween. The support frame is rendered readily mobile as by the application of casters 42 thereto. A pair of U-shaped straps each indicated by the numeral 44 and having upturned arms or end portions 46 are secured to the underside of the frame. The arms embrace the side members 36 and are secured thereto in any desired manner as by welding or the like, with the strap portions 44 being spaced below the frame and extending across the opening 40 therein.

The side members 36 are provided with vertically extending bores 48 therethrough which comprise sockets for a purpose to be subsequently set forth.

A pair of rod-like lift arms 50 each having an upstanding abutment in the form of a plate-like member 52 are movably mounted upon the frame. As shown best in FIGURE 7, each lift arm is loosely slidably mounted at one extremity upon a support post or mounting bracket 56 so that each arm is vertically and horizontally movable upon the bolt or mounting bracket 56. The lift arms may be gripped through the opening 40 for the purpose of lifting the arms and causing the abutment members 52 to move upwardly for a purpose to be subsequently set forth. The brackets 44 retain and support the arms when they are not in use.

gral construction.

.60 are shorter than the sides 36 ofthe frame.

result of this arrangement, when the platform is placed upon the frame with the pins66 being slidably received 'in the sockets 48, the openings 64 and 40 Will be in reg- Referring now specifically to the platform 32, it will be observed that this likewise is of rectangular configuration and comprises an open frame formed by rigidly connected sides 60 together with ends 62, all of these elements preferably being of a flat strap-like material and may conveniently, as shown in FIGURE 4, be of inte- The platform likewise has a central opening 64 and at any convenient location is provided with a series of downwardly projecting pins or pegs 66 which are adapted to be slidably, guidingly and loosely vreceived in the sockets 48 in the frame 30. The ends 62 are of the same length as the ends 38 while the sides As a istration with the sides 60 lying upon the sides 36 or being disposed vertically thereabove. As shown best in FIGURE 6, the lower end of the platform pins 66 are provided with diametrically extending bores receiving cotter pins 68 or other equivalent fasteners. In this manner, the platform is supported for vertical sliding and adjusting movement relative to the frame but is prevented ,from separation therefrom by the retaining means 68.

By virtue of the loose fit between the members 66 and their sockets 48, it is possible to individually raise either end of the platform, the necessary relative tilting of the platform with respect to the frame 30 being permitted'by the loose sliding fit of the pins in the sockets.

At this point it should be noted that the abutment members 52 lie directly beneath the ends 62 of the platform. Consequently, by reaching through the registering openings of the platform and frame, the lift arms 50 may be grasped, lifted upwardly and through the abutment members 52 will in turn lift the associated end member of the platform. Thus vertical adjustment of the platform either simultaneously at both ends or individually at either end can be obtained by proper manipulation of the lift arms 50.

Secured to the two ends 62 of the. platform 32 are pairs of transversely aligned fulcrum brackets 7 0. These brackets are disposed nearer one side of the frame 30 than the other for a purpose which will be subsequently apparent.

The U-shaped carriage 34 consists of a pair of arms 72 which at one end are provided with tubular hinge members 74 adapted to be disposed between the fulcrum means 70 in order that the pivot pin 76, see FIGURES 2, 5-7, may hingedly connect the carriage to the platform for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis through the fulcrum means 70. The opposite ends of the arms 72 from the hinge members 74 are rigidly connected by a transversely extending rod 78 so as to rigidify the two arms into a U-shaped unit. A pair of pegs or pins 80 are provided each carried by one of the arms, these pins having tapered tapered extremities 82 to facilitate and guide their insertion into selective ones of the apertures 14 of the blade 12 and also the aperture 20 of the moldboard 18.

It will be noted from a consideration of FIGURES 2, 3, and 5 in particular, member 78 of the U-shaped carriage, when the latter is folded downwardly upon the platform 32, projects beyond the side of the carriage and of the frame 30 thereby providing a convenient handgrip or means whereby the carriage may be tilted upwardly from its flat position resting upon the platform,

I as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5, to a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The operation of the device in the positioning and applying of a blade 12 to a moldboard 1-8 is as follows. With the dolly in its completely lowered or folded position, shown in FIGURES 2 and 5, the blade 12 is placed upon the dolly with the support and holding pins 80 being received through the blade fastening apertures 14.

This is the position shown in FIGURE 5 and the dolly with the blade mounted thereon is now rolled into proximity to the moldboard 18.

Inasmuch as it is frequently necessary or more convenient to change a blade when the machine carrying the moldboard is not upon level ground or in a horizontal position, it will be necessary .to either lower the moldboard by the hydraulic actuating means, not shown, to which the arm 22 is attached or to elevate, within the limits permitted by the dolly, the carriage and blade carried thereby. Assuming that the moldboard is in willciently close vertical relationship to the dolly, the carriage is swung upwardly into a substantially erect position, as shown in FIGURE 6. With the supporting pins 80 of the carriage now in substantial alignment with the corresponding fastening apertures 20' of the moldboard 18, the dolly is moved forwardly until the pin penetrates the aperture 26 and thus effects proper alignment of the 7 other of the pins 80, at which time the dolly is moved to cause the pins to then fully engage in the registering apertures. Consequently, the fastening bolts can then be applied and the blade will be fully and firmly attached to the moldboard.

It should be noted that the sliding and guiding engagement of thepins 66 of the platform in the sockets 48 of the frame 30 provide for a guided but limited vertical movement in various inclined relations, of the platform to the frame. Such movement can be manually effected by lifting one or both of the lift arms 50 to thus move the platform either at one or both ends thereof upwardly as may be required within the range of movement permitted by the pins 66 and their retainers 68. Alternatively, it will be apparent that sufficient upward movement of the moldboard when once one of the pegs 80 has been engaged in an aperture 20, will lift the carriage and the attached platform upwardly causing sliding movement of the pins 66 in the sockets 48 of the frame to the limited movement permitted by the retainers 68. Further upward movement of the moldboard will, of course, then lift that portion of the dolly from the ground.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A dolly for supporting and adjustably positioning the blade of a scraper moldboard comprising a wheeled support frame consisting of rigidly connected side and end members enclosing a central opening, a pair of vertically swingable lift arms slidably mounted on said frame and manually operable through said opening, abutment members on said arms, a platform comprising rigidly connected side and end members enclosing an opening, means guidingly securing said platform to said frame including pins on said platform loosely and slidably received in sockets on said frame, said platform being of equal width but lesser length than said frame with said openings in registration, a U-shaped carriage mounted upon said platform and having laterally projecting pegs for engagement in bolt holes in a scraper moldboard blade to support the latter, fulcrum brackets rising from the end members of said platform adjacent one end of said end members, the arms of said U-shaped carriage being pivoted each to one of said fulcrum brackets for vertical tilting of said carriage about a horizontal axis, said end members of said platform overlying said abutment members for lifting of said carriage and platform when said lift arms are lifted upwardly.

2. A dolly for supporting and adjustably positioning the elongated blade of a scraper moldboard, said dolly comprising a wheeled support frame defining a longitudinal axis, an elongated blade support platform having ends supported from said frame for free, selected and independent or simultaneous vertical movement of said ends relative to said frame, a pair of movable force abutment means supported from said frame and selectively and simultaneously operable to abuttingly engage said ends to raise the latter, said blade support platform including support means adapted to support said blade in a generally horizontally disposed position with said blade generally paralleling said axis.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a pair of arm members pivotally secured at corresponding ends to said ends of said platform for swinging movement about a horizontal axis generally paralleling the first-mentioned axis, the free ends of said arms including means adapted to engage and support said blade in an edgewise upstanding position.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the last-mentioned means comprise laterally projecting pins adapted to project through bolt receiving openings formed through said blade.

5. The combination of claim 4 including means interconnecting said arms for simultaneous swinging movement relative to said platform.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said frame and said platform including coacting guide and retainer means effecting independent relative vertical movement of said frame and platform at each end thereof.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said retainer means comprise downwardly extending guide pins on said platform and said guide means comprise upstanding guide bores on said frame loosely receiving said guide pins, retainer members on said guide pins limiting sliding movement of the latter in said sockets.

8. The combination of claim 2 wherein said force means comprise levers mounted on said frame and having abutment members thereon engageable with said ends of said platform.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 912,589 2/ 190-9 Mashek. 2,524,085 10/1950 Saul.

FOREIGN PATENTS 574,923 7/ 1924 France.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DOLLY FOR SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING THE BLADE OF A SCRAPER MOLDBOARD COMPRISING A WHEELED SUPPORT FRAME CONSISTING OF RIDIGLY CONNECTED SIDE AND END MEMBERS ENCLOSING A CENTRAL OPENING, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SWINGABLE LIFT ARMS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND MANUALLY OPERABLE THROUGH SAID OPENING, ABUTMENT MEMBERS ON SAID ARMS, A PLATFORM COMPRISING RIGIDLY CONNECTED SIDE AND END MEMBERS ENCLOSING AN OPENING, MEANS GUIDINLGY SECURING SAID PLATFORM TO SAID FRAME INCLUDING PINS ON SAID PLATFORM LOOSELY AND SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SOCKETS ON SAID FRAME, SAID PLATFORM BEING OF EQUAL WIDTH BUT LESSER LENGTH THAN SAID FRAME WITH SAID OPENINGS IN REGISTRATION, U-SHAPED CARRIAGE MOUNTED UPON SAID PLATFORM AND HAVING LATERALLY MOLDBOARD BLADE TO ENGAGEMENT IN BOLT HOLES IN SCRAPER MOLDBOARD BLADE TO SUPPORT THE LATTER, FULCRUM BRACKETS RISING FROM THE END MEMBERS OF SAID PLATFORM ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID END MEMBERS, THE ARM OF SAID U-SHAPED CARRIAGE BEING PIVOTED EACH TO ONE OF SAID FULCRUM BRAKCETS FOR VERTICAL TILTING OF SAID CARRIAGE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID END MEMBERS OF SAID PLATFORM OVERLYING SAID ABUTMENT MEMBERS FOR LIFTING OF SAID CARRIAGE AND PLATFORM WHEN SAID LIFT ARMS ARE LIFTED UPWARDLY. 